Taumalolo running riot
DEATH, taxes and Taumalolo dominance.
There are few things more reliable than what the Cowboys’ lock brings to the field.
As the coronavirus pandemic clouds sport in mystery and confusion it was refreshing to see that, when it comes to the Tongan skipper, some things never change.
Taumalolo was unstoppable as North Queensland marched to their first win of the season against the Canterbury-bankstown Bulldogs.
From his first carry he terrorised the home side, and the rest of his forward pack followed suit in the 24-16 win.
And the stats backed it up: 304 metres from 25 runs, six tackle breaks and a try — they are numbers of a man well into a season, not finding his feet in round two.
While there was plenty for Paul Green to be pleased with, slow starts to both halves will undoubtedly irk the Cowboys coach.
As was the case against the Brisbane Broncos, Michael Morgan’s men were first to concede within the opening minutes of each half, Renouf To’omaga’s 46th minute effort giving the Bulldogs a sniff at 22-12.
A lazy effort on the stroke of full-time from Valentine Holmes also gifted the hosts a consolation try through Christian Crichton.
But while their second half attack was stifled — a penalty goal the only addition to their halftime score — the Cowboys defensive intent that eluded them in patches last week returned for much of the contest to keep their rivals at bay.
It was the beginning of a peculiar chapter in rugby league’s history when the two teams ran out.
ANZ Stadium resembled a ghost town after the NRL’S decision to lock out fans until the coronavirus situation improves.
But nevertheless there was still football to be played and competition points up for grabs.
Kicks in the opening minute of play plagued the Cowboys once again. After last week’s kick-off from Kyle
Jason
Feldt went out on the full, this time it was a Lachlan Lewis 40/20 in the opening set that had North Queensland on the back foot early.
The visitors weathered that storm, but the Bulldogs were quick to counter.
After Jordan Mclean had the ball stolen charging for the line, Jeremy MarshallKing exploited the short side to put Nick Meaney down the left flank in the fifth minute.
When the winger turned it back on the inside for Lewis to cross, Canterbury had their first try of 2020.
Coen Hess was quick to respond, showcasing the powerful running game close to the line that made him such a threat when he burst into the NRL in 2017.
And that is when the Cowboys opened the stables.
Scott Drinkwater burnt Joe Stimson to a crisp off a scrum to hit the front, while Holmes executed a perfectly weighted cut-out pass to put Ben Hampton over eight minutes later.
Taumalolo then capped off his monstrous first half with a try near the break.
The damaging run that got him over the line was part and parcel of his game. But it was the support play that perhaps highlighted how far he has come as a player.
Providing a deft short ball for Francis Molo, the 26year-old followed to his teammates outside to receive an offload and crash over.
It was far from a perfect display, but with Taumalolo leading the charge the Cowboys could be anything as they click into gear.